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Battery operated electric blanketRelated Patent Categories: Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, And Process, Cell Support For Removable CellBattery operated electric blanket description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060166082, Battery operated electric blanket. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) & 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.78 [0001] This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. provisional patent entitled: B.O. blanket, Application No. 60/640,769, file Dec. 31, 2004, in the name of Regina Gale Turner, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to electric blankets, and more specifically but not by way of limitation, to a portable electric blanket that is powered through the use of battery compartments integrated into the blanket. BACKGROUND [0003] Electric blankets have been around for some time. Most electric blankets are designed only for indoor home use. These electric blankets are designed to be powered by standard AC outlets and will not work if not plugged-in. In this environment, the standard electric blanket works well. However, as can be appreciated, there is a need to use electric blankets beyond indoor home use. This would include during outdoor sporting events, vehicle trips, camping and other activities where a standard AC outlet is not readily accessible. [0004] Accordingly there is a need for an electric blanket that can be readily powered by an alternative power supply and further be designed to facilitate use outdoors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention is an electric blanket that is powered through the use of batteries stored in battery compartments integrated into the blanket. The blanket is made of materials to facilitate the use of the electric blanket outdoors. Battery compartments are located on each of the four corners and are configured to facilitate the removal and insertion of batteries. The batteries are used to power a network of heating elements distributed through out the blanket. The blanket is further designed such that is could also be powered by an external AC or DC power source, and at that same time recharge the batteries in the battery compartments. The blanket also includes a user operable controller to set and control the desired level of heat generated during operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: [0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a portion removed illustrating internal portions; and [0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged partial top perspective view of a battery compartment with a battery pack removed therefrom. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0009] Referring now to the drawings, wherein various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular FIG. 1 there is illustrated an electric blanket 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention. [0010] As illustrated electric blanket 100 includes a blanket portion 110, bindings 116 and 118, and battery compartments 120, 122, 124 and 126. Each of the battery compartments 120, 122, 124 and 126 are configured to receive a battery pack, such as battery back 150 (see FIG. 2). Electric blanket 100 further includes a heating element 140 disposed substantially therein. [0011] As illustrated in FIG. 1, blanket portion 110 of electric blanket 100 is generally made up of two portions, an upper portion 112 and a lower portion 114. Upper portion 112 and lower portion 114 are configured such that heating element 140 is disposed intermediate upper portion 112 and lower portion 114. It is contemplated that blanket portion 110 could be comprised of either a folded single piece of material to form upper portion 112 and lower portion 114, or could be comprised of two or more separate pieces connected together to form upper portion 112 and lower portion 114. [0012] Heating element 140 is disposed substantially throughout electric blanket 100 and is configured to be electrically connected to and controlled battery compartments 120, 122, 124 and 126. [0013] Bindings 116 and 118 are configured to trim out electric blanket 100 and are further configured to contain or house battery compartments 120, 122, 124 and 126. Good results have been achieved by constructing bindings 116 and 118 out of lace produced from a durable, lightweight fabric. [0014] As further illustrated, battery compartment 120 includes and on/off switch 130 and a controller 132. On/off switch 130 allows a user to switch electric blanket 100 between an on mode, whereby power is supplied to heating element 140, and an off mode, whereby power is not supplied to heating element 140. Controller 132 allows a user to select a desired operating level or temperature for electric blanket 100. [0015] External power outlet 134 is configured to receive an external power source, such as from a DC or AC power supply. Battery compartment 120 is further configured, such that if an external power source is connected to outlet 134 and rechargeable batteries are being used, the rechargeable batteries disposed in each of the battery compartments could be recharged. This enables a user to recharge all the batteries without having to remove them. [0016] Although it is contemplated that electric blanket 100 could be virtually any shape, and could be constructed from various materials, good results have been achieved by constructing electric blanket 100 in a large, rectangular shape in various standard sizes, such as full, queen and king sizes. Good results have also been achieved by utilizing cotton or wool materials such that electric blanket 100 can be easily washed or dry-cleaned. [0017] Referring now in particular to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an enlarged partial view of battery compartment 120 with a battery pack 150 shown removed therefrom. As illustrated battery pack 150 includes a frame 152 configured to receive batteries 154 and 156. Battery pack 150 is configured to be inserted into and removably secured within battery compartment 120 and form an electrical connection therebetween. It is contemplated that each of the other battery compartments 122, 124 and 126 are configured in a similar manner to that of battery compartment 120 and each can receive therein a battery pack similar to that of battery pack 150. Although it is contemplated that virtually any size of battery could be used for batteries 154 and 156, good results have been achieved utilizing standard or rechargeable AA size batteries. [0018] As briefly described herein, external power outlet 134 is configured to receive power from an external power AC or DC power source, such that if an external power source is connected to outlet 134 and rechargeable batteries are being used, the rechargeable batteries disposed in each of the battery compartments could be recharged. Additionally electrical blanket 100 could be powered by an external power source where available to preserve the life of the batteries. Such a case might be if a user has electric blanket 100 in a vehicle and a 12V DC outlet was available to supply power to electric blanket 100. Continue reading about Battery operated electric blanket... Full patent description for Battery operated electric blanket Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Battery operated electric blanket patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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